Adam Rutherford was the wealthy father of Shannon Rutherford. When his daughter was 8 years old, Adam married a woman named Sabrina Carlyle. Years later, when Adam was driving he was hit by a woman named Sarah, who would eventually become Jack's wife. When the paramedics arrived at the scene, they were required to use the jaws of life to remove him from the vehicle. He passed away at 8:15 when they were unable to repair the damage in time.

Incidentally the same car accident involves, indirectly, three people who are trapped on the island.